More than 2,100 girls participated in the Girls on the Run celebration and 5K run in Kalamazoo in 2012. Saturday's Tutu Run will benefit the GOTR program in greater Kalamazoo.MLive | Gazette File

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Runners and walkers of all ages will gather and don tutus for a 2.2-mile fun run/walk through Spring Valley Park as Kalamazoo experiences its first Girls on the Run-sponsored Tutu Run on Saturday, which is appropriately, 2/2.

Nearly 600 people have already pre-registered for the event, which will start at -- you guessed it -- 2 p.m.

A $10 donation is recommended, but participants donating more than $25 receive a free T-shirt. The bright pink shirts are in short supply, however, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Proceeds from the event will be used for scholarships for girls who are unable to pay the participation fee for the 10-week Girls on the Run after-school program that begins on March 4.

Tutus are not mandatory, but highly encouraged according to Carrie Hybels, the program's coordinator of 5k and special events. The organization has already sold all the tutus they ordered for the event.

"We had almost 200 tutus and we sold them all in presale," Hybels said. "There are a lot of online tutorials to make your own tutu that are very simple though."

Hybels said the event is a sequel of sorts to the One One Run that takes place on Jan. 1 every year. She said that she was surprised by the amount of interest the Tutu Run has already attracted and estimates that there will be about 750 participants.

"There are far more people than we expected, so allow ample time for parking," Hybels. "Packet pickup starts at 1 p.m. and the event starts at 2 p.m."

Tutu-themed cupcakes from the Garden Gate Cafe and tutu ornaments will be given as prizes to the winners in several categories: best overall tutu, biggest tutu, best male/female/kid/couple tutu, and fastest tutu.

Online registration for the event will be open until midnight Wednesday but is not mandatory for participation.